Wasps vs. Hornets: What’s the Difference?

Hornets and wasps are often mistaken for one another, but they are different creatures. While hornets are a type of wasp, there are some significant differences between the two. It may help to identify which insect you have near your home, but both can be dealt with by pest control.



Identifying Wasps

Wasps tend to have quite distinctive markings in white, orange, or yellow and black. Some are entirely black. If you look at them closely, you’ll notice that wasps lack the familiar fuzzy look of bees and have very little hair on their bodies. They also have a much narrower waist between the thorax and abdomen.

Wasps may be between 1.5-2.5 cm long. One of their biggest features is that they don’t lose their stinger when they attack, so they can sting multiple times. This also means they can be more aggressive.

As carnivores, wasps will happily join your picnic to eat sausages, meats, and more. In fact, it’s usually food that draws them to people and they love sweets and fizzy drinks.

Identifying Hornets

Hornets are usually reddish-brown and yellow striped, but they do come in other colours, as well. They often prefer to nest in existing hollows and crevices. This includes trees, walls, and even the ground.

Often, hornets are larger than wasps, but they’re built in much the same way. They may have tufts of hair on their bodies and are often marked in wider stripes or patterns than the average wasp. They are also a little rounder than wasps, with fatter abdomens. In general, they’re less aggressive, though they can sting multiple times, as well.

How to Handle Wasps and Hornets

Whether you have a wasp problem or a hornet issue, you should not attempt to get rid of them on your own. First, establish that it is a problem. One of two of the insects buzzing about your garden is no cause for alarm. However, if you’re seeing quite a few and feel that they may live nearby, it’s time to call in help.

You shouldn’t try to get rid of a hornet or wasp nest on your own. This is a good way to end up being stung and you could have a reaction to too much venom. Instead, you should call a professional pest removal agency and have them deal with the problem.

In most cases, the solution requires removing the insect nest. This will discourage them from staying nearby. Once this is done, the pest remover may spray as well to get rid of any remaining insects.

Are you dealing with wasps or hornets in your home and garden? Contact Mr. Wasp today to have them eliminated.